Piano-mute



(No Model.)

J. A. KIESELHORST. PIANO MUTE.

No. 498,352. Patented May 30, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. KIESELIIORST, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

PIANO-MUTE.

SIECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,352, dated May 30, 1893.

Application filed May 28, 1892.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN A. KIESELHORST, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Piano- Mutes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in piano mutes, whereby the tones of a piano may be greatly modified and made soft or otherwise. The object of my invention is to construct a better, cheaper and more simple mute, than any heretofore made, and overcome some of the objectionable features in such. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1, is a detailed view of the piano showing strings, frame and mute attachments, sustained by means of cords. Fig. 2, is a detailed View of the cord sustained mute, and its relative position to the hammers and wires. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the loop, at the ends of the operating cords, whereby by the locking of which, the mute when raised,is held suspended.

Similar letters referto similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 1, A, is the frame of a piano. In this, and the other several figures, a, represents the mute proper, which is made of felt, or other soft and thick material. It is secured, by stitches or otherwise, along its upper edge, to the part, c, which is made of netting, or some suitable gauzy, thin material. Both of these parts, extend lengthwise across the piano, in front of its strings and they are suspended vertically by the elastic cord (1 in Fig. 1. Ihe upper edge of the part c is fastened upon the cord d by hooks or in any other suitable manner. The cord (1 is preferably an elastic one and extends lengthwise from end to end,inside the piano. Each end of this cord, is securely and tautly fastened to eyelet screws, 0, e, or otherwise; which screw into the end walls of the instrument, about at a level of the posts 4;. n. Fig. 1.

For the purposes of operating the 1nute,'by raising or lowering it, the non-elastic cord, f, Fig. 1, is attached to the elastic cord d at the points h, h, by hooks, or otherwise. This rais ing or operating cord f, extends up and through Serial No. 434,825. (No model.)

the screw eyelets, i 6 t' or their equivalents, which are screwed into the under side 7; of the piano frame top, and arranged to support it movably therethrough. This cord has the loop g, arranged about in its middle, which loop is for use, to hold the mute raised, above the striking point of the piano hammers upon the strings, when drawn up by pulling this cord, and hooking the loop onto the hook j as shown. By pulling the loop cord, it raises the elastic cord, thus raising the mute, or lowering the same, by loosening the loop, and letting the mute drop into position for operation, as may be desired. When the mute is lowered, the hammers strike against the felt, or soft part a of it, instead of striking the strings; thus knocking. the mute against the strings, and thereby softening or deadening the tone, in a pleasing manner. Great benefit results from the flexibility, of the gauzy part, c of the mute, which is found to be admirably adapted to permit the felt part d, to be always straight, and quickly in proper position. The felt mute, being attached to the gauzy material, reduces to a minimum its resistance to the blow of the hammers, in striking the strings, this resistance being a great fault and drawback in all piano mutes, introduced in the use of pianos, for the past fifty or more years; as this resistance changed the touch of the piano, making it much stiffer and heavier, making its use of little or no value, besides being detrimental to little children, possessing little strength and weak fingers. I thus do away with the resistance, and this mute fully answers the purpose for which it is intended.

Having described my invention, I disclaim such devices as may have been patented heretofore for piano-routes and limit my invention to the following claims, which I desire to secure by Lette:s Patent:

1. A piano mute consisting of the felt or soft thick part, a, and a thin or gauzy part c, suspended and kept taut by an elastic cord, (1 and adapted to be operated substantially as described.

2. In a piano mute the elastic cord d and its supports 6 e whereby it is suspended and held taut, in combination with the gauzy part c and the muffler a suspended thereby, and adapted to be raised or lowered, by operating the cord f, substantially as, and for the puror lowering the mute, substantially as and for poses mentioned. the purposes, mentioned.

3. A piano mute consisting, of the mnfliei' parts a, and gauzy part c,in combination with JOHN A. KIESELIIORST. 5 the elastic cord (Z, and the non-elastic cord f, WVitnesses:

with their attaching supports upon a piano J. J. KLEEKAMP,

frame, and adapted to be operated, for raising HUGH M. THOMPSON. 

